Feeling the Love At Bedford Spring Antiques Show

Bedford, N.Y.

:Love was in the air at the preview party for the 24th annual Bedford Spring Antiques Show. St Matthew's Church's main fundraiser, the two-day show got underway at the Rippowam Cisqua School on April 3 with 28 exhibitors offering a well-selected mix of antiques, fine and decorative arts. Last year, antiques were presented as the "ultimate recyclable"; this year, amid shades of hot pink, show patrons were exhorted to "Feel love."

The well-attended gala champagne preview party conducted the night before the show opened to the public once again exhibited the polish and synchronization that is part of the DNA of show committee members, parish volunteers and confirmands, led by show chair Missy Renwick and show manager Michael Jackson.

Things quieted down a bit on Saturday and Sunday, according to several dealers contacted after the show. One of these dealers, Paul Vandekar of Earl D. Vandekar of Knightsbridge, Ossining, N.Y., said, "The show was well attended opening night with a good amount of interest, but the attendance thereafter was slow. Most dealers, including myself, did little business. I did sell a wonderful Minton garden seat."

Vandekar had an interesting item, a wall mounted "Starburst" sculpture by Californian artist Curtis Jere, circa 1960–69. Radiating brass rays above a grouping that included an English pottery American market jug, circa 1800–05, and a rare Wedgwood large creamware punch pot and cover, circa 1800, the 41-inch-diameter sculpture was quite striking. Also unusual was a massive Thomas Willis (1850–1925) silk and canvas picture of the steam yacht Aztec, early Twentieth Century. The painting is an oil on canvas with the ships created of silk and satin sails and velvet hulls.

Other dealers, like flag specialist Jeff Bridgman, were happy to report good sales. The Dillsburg, Penn., dealer parted with "a wonderful flag that flew at the Seventh Regiment Armory in New York City near the end of the Civil War," among other sales. Bridgman's booth was overflowing with antique patriotic Americana, including a 34-star American national flag made sometime during the opening two years of the Civil War (1861–63). The flag's painted stars appear on a make-do canton of blue calico and are arranged in a rare "Great Star" pattern in which the individual stars form a "Great Star." Among collectors, the "Great Star" configuration is the most coveted of all Nineteenth Century geometric patterns, according to Bridgman.

Fine art dealers Joel Fletcher and John Copenhaver returned to the show with an impressive display that ran nearly the length of the wall nearest the entrance in the school's lower level gymnasium. "The show was a pleasant surprise," said Fletcher. "Because of the current economic situation, we went with exceedingly low expectations. But it turned out to be the best show we have had in Bedford in a number of years. Notable sales included works by Helene Riviere, Henry Hillyer and a wonderful large charcoal drawing by George Leroux. Most of our sales were to new customers, which would indicate that we are continuing to build on our old client base in the area, developed over the past 20 years, and that we feel is very encouraging."

Fletcher added that they had many positive comments, not only on their inventory, but on the way it was presented. "Almost all the works in our booth are in frames made by our wonderful framer in Paris with whom we have been working for a number of years," he said. "She has a terrific eye, and the frames are made with a very high level of craftsmanship. We were not surprised to learn a short time ago that she had chosen the frame for the Matisse painting that sold for a record $46 million in the recent [Sotheby's] Yves Saint Laurent sale. She is one of the best in the business."

Silver dealer Spencer Marks, Southampton, Mass., featured a pair of Irish rococo serving bowls or tureen stands, 1788, by William Bond that were intricately decorated with shepherds, musicians and ladies. Co-owner Mark McHugh said that among the firm's sales were five pieces of Arts and Crafts silver, including an extremely rare bowl autographed by maker Franklin Porter and inscribed as a Christmas present to his wife and daughter in 1929. "We also sold Nineteenth Century flatware and have interest in some major Eighteenth Century pieces," said McHugh.

For Oriental rug dealer Frank Shaia of Williamsburg, Va., the show's "eleventh hour" was his savior when he sold one of his best room-size Heriz rugs. "I am happy with my sales and my leads for the future," he said.

Clifford Leonard from nearby South Salem, N.Y., has been doing this show for 18 years and seemed to sum up this year's show the best. "As with most shows these days, there were some dealers that did well and others that did not," he said, adding, "It seemed to me that the gate was up this year. I usually sell more furniture, but this time it was mostly small items. The good news is that I have had two calls with additional sales since the show."

Leonard said he believes the show's selection of dealers makes it one of the best well-rounded shows in the area. "One nice additional touch is that the women on the committee fix us a great lunch each day — and I do not mean store-bought food, but homemade dishes and great homemade brownies and cookies to help keep our strength up. There is a hands-on touch that few shows have anymore. It is a pleasure to go back each year and see old friends."

For information, call 914-234-9636.